IPAs that don't taste like dish soap

For many years, I've been terrified to try IPAs. I find that the hoppier the beer, the more it tastes like straight up dish soap. Maybe I haven't given IPAs a fair chance. Maybe I wrongly associate IPAs with dish soap. But at any rate, does anyone have suggestions for good IPAs...?

What IPA's have you had that have given you the "dish soap" flavors? That will probably help narrow it down a bit. Perhaps there's a particular hop gives your palate the flavor of dish soap and you can recommedations of IPA's that don't use that particular hop in the brew process.

What IPA's have you had that have given you the "dish soap" flavors? That will probably help narrow it down a bit. Perhaps there's a particular hop gives your palate the flavor of dish soap and you can recommedations of IPA's that don't use that particular hop in the brew process.

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That's sort of the problem...I can't remember the ones I've already tried, because it was a long while ago and I've basically shunned them out of my memory.

Sculpin may be somewhat easier to find, but it's often 3-4 months old when I see it in my area. But yeah, it doesn't taste like dish soap either.

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Ok, then perhaps any basic Stone IPA or something that isn't elusive and extremely difficult to get for a large portion of the population. Also, I feel like those are IPA's for people who already have a deep appreciation for IPA's.

Beer Trader

I have experienced this a number of times and it immediately ruins the beer for me, the most recent perpetrators were Otter Creek Hop Session ale, and Long Trail IPA. I'm absolutely meticulous about my glassware, it doesn't go in the dishwasher, and I rarely even use soap. Maybe its a specific variety, or just a mental association with that smell, but I've only experienced this with IPAs and pale ales.

OP, Seek out some Jacks Abby, they brew amazing hoppy lagers that dont taste like soap.

Edit: I should add that I drink a lot of hoppy beer, and just about all of it doesn't taste like soap

I am assuming Sierra Nevada Pale Ale is something you have tried (given how attainable it is). If you haven't, do it! If you have had SNPA and think it tastes like dish soap, perhaps IPA's are not the thing for you.

A word to the wise though....sometimes flavors get stuck in our memories and we associate then with those memories moving forward, even if the flavor isn't really there. For example, growing up as a kid I loved "spiced drops," those gummy candies that had tons of clove flavor added to them. I specifically loved the green colored spice drops which were spearmint flavored. The first couple of times I tried a traditional Heff, one with a ton of clove flavor my brain said, "Why does this taste like mint?" I even came on here asking about why Heffs had a menthol like flavor to them. No one had an answer. I dug deeper and figured out what I wa remembering when I drank Heffs was not a mint flavor, but the heavy clove flavor that was in the minty, gummy candies I loved. Now my brain can isolate what I am tasting and associate it properly. As a result I love Heffs!

Now, I have no idea why you would associate hops with dish soap, but who knows, life is crazy and the brain/taste bud connection are a complicated pieces of equipment!

Some people get soap when they taste cilantro, that is about 20% of the population due to their genetics.

Here is some information on soap taste in heavily hopped beers, read the Noonan section, he knew his stuff as a brewer and an author on beer and brewing. Find an IPA that has Burtonized water - high sulfates.
"Hoppy beers sometimes have an unpleasant soapy flavor. Calcium sulfate eliminates soapy flavors and accentuates a clean, piquant hop bitterness."

Beer Trader

Many times when I have Harpoon IPA it tastes like someone put a bar of soap in my mouth. A couple other beers have done that to me too. Possibly SNPA but I cant remember. It may have to do with how different palates interpret hop astringency.

I'd suggest any fruity west coast style IPA with lots of late hop additions.

If it was flower or citrus scented dish soap then maybe I could see that. +1 for giving some good pales a try first, Sierra Nevada Pale, Mirror Pond, something of that sort. But you may just not like hoppy beers. If you wanna skip the pales, Bridgeport IPA is melllllllow.

That's sort of the problem...I can't remember the ones I've already tried, because it was a long while ago and I've basically shunned them out of my memory.

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Since you don't remember than I think you need to go get an IPA, Drink it, and report back to us. Looks like you're in MA so Ithaca Flower Power should be available to you, give that one a try. If that tastes like soap to you then I'm afraid you're in need of a taste bud transplant.

Some people get soap when they taste cilantro, that is about 20% of the population due to their genetics.

Here is some information on soap taste in heavily hopped beers, read the Noonan section, he knew his stuff as a brewer and an author on beer and brewing. Find an IPA that has Burtonized water - high sulfates.
"Hoppy beers sometimes have an unpleasant soapy flavor. Calcium sulfate eliminates soapy flavors and accentuates a clean, piquant hop bitterness."

I'll pick up a couple bottles of suggested IPAs this weekend. I think I might try the dogfish head 90 Min., and Stone IPA. I know you're all DYING of anticipation, so I'll report back asap. Thanks everyone!

I sometimes (rarely) get a subtle soapy-like quality from IPAs, and I drink them ALL THE TIME. But usually it's so minute that it doesn't ever bother me. I'm guessing that some people are hyper sensitive to certain hop varieties that may display this quality - not sure which ones, though.